VOA标准英语2009-Australian PM Calls for Greater Cooperation

By Anjana Pasricha
New Delhi
13 November 2009

 
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, left, shakes hands with his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh before a meeting in New Delhi, 12 Nov 2009
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has called for more investment and trade with India during a visit to the Indian capital. Rudd has also promised that attacks on Indian students in Australia will not be tolerated. 

On top of the agenda of Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd during his visit to New Delhi, was his promise that his government is committed to ensuring the safety of Indians studying in Australian universities.

The issue figured during talks between the Australian leader and his Indian counterpart, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Indians make up the largest number of overseas students from any one country studying in Australian universities. But in recent months a series of attacks on Indian students has raised tensions and received wide media coverage¹, with some reports suggesting the attacks are racially motivated.   

Prime Minister Rudd says Australian authorities will do all that is "physically² possible" to prevent such attacks.

"Indian students are welcome guests in our country, and we have an obligation to extend the hand of friendship and support to all Indian students in our midst," Rudd said.

Mr. Rudd also said Australia and India have weathered the financial crisis better than many other countries, and are in a position to expand commercial ties, and explore investment opportunities. He underlined the potential of resource rich Australia helping³ India meet its expanding food and energy needs as its population grows.

The Australian leader made a strong pitch for a free-trade agreement between the two countries.

"I firmly believe that a comprehensive, commercially meaningful FTA [free-trade agreement] between Australia and India could deliver substantial new market access for exporters and investors⁴, and open up job opportunities in both countries. And this is good news for us all," Rudd said.

The two countries are likely to begin negotiations⁵ on a free-trade agreement after completing a feasibility study.

The leaders of the two countries also discussed issues such as terrorism and security, with both sides stressing that they can expand cooperation on global issues such as the economic crisis and climate change. 

1 coverage   

n.报导，保险范围，保险额，范围，覆盖

参考例句：

• There's little coverage of foreign news in the newspaper.报纸上几乎没有国外新闻报道。
• This is an insurance policy with extensive coverage.这是一项承保范围广泛的保险。

2 physically   

adj.物质上，体格上，身体上，按自然规律

参考例句：

• He was out of sorts physically,as well as disordered mentally.他浑身不舒服，心绪也很乱。
• Every time I think about it I feel physically sick.一想起那件事我就感到极恶心。

3 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

4 investors   

n.投资者，出资者( investor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• a con man who bilked investors out of millions of dollars 诈取投资者几百万元的骗子
• a cash bonanza for investors 投资者的赚钱机会

5 negotiations   

协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过

参考例句：

• negotiations for a durable peace 为持久和平而进行的谈判
• Negotiations have failed to establish any middle ground. 谈判未能达成任何妥协。